Hatfield-McCoy play seeking volunteers

MCCARR, Ky. — A new fine arts program in Pike County is working on its first project, and the public is being invited to be a part of it.

The Hatfield and McCoy Arts Council is currently working to produce an outdoor live production play based on the Hatfield McCoy feud, which will be staged at the Hatfield McCoy park in McCarr.

The Council is seeking actors, musicians, set designers, sound and lighting technicians, carpenters, persons to help with costumes and people who will volunteer to help with the many other aspects of producing a play.

Working with the Arts Council will be the Artist Collaborative Theater, another Pike County group based in Elkhorn City.

The Feud has been the basis of movies, music and a mini series, but this new play to add authenticity to the story.

“Our goal is to balance entertainment and accuracy,” said Stephanie Richards, director of the Artist Collaborative Theater and Fine Arts Agent with the UK Extension Service told the Daily News. “Our production will use local talent, both new people and ACT veterans.”

Having a production that is faithful to the history of the Feud is important, so local historians Betty Howard and Randall Osborne are on the Board of the production, as well as Phelps resident and Chief Executive Officer of the Hatfield McCoy Arts Council, Chris Coleman.

The play will debut at 7:30 Friday, July 26, and run Friday through Sunday throughout July, August and September. While Friday and Saturday productions will begin at 7:30, Sunday plays will be a matinee, beginning at 3 p.m.

Dressing rooms and restroom facilities at the Hatfield McCoy Park are currently under construction, District Five Magistrate Hilman Dotson said.

Stephanie Richardson said she felt other films and plays haven’t captured the flavor a local production could.

“When they talk about the Hatfields and McCoys, people speak with ownership, with passion,” she said. “I don’t think anyone has honed into that, they haven’t scratched the surface. We can do that, we will have a beautiful production.”